Life throws us curves every day. We do our best to deal with unexpected situations and challenging events in our lives. However, research shows that prolonged stress and anxiety can reduce life expectancy. Simply put, stress is a killer.
Can you identify and recognize the stress you are experiencing? You can probably count at least 10 ways stress has negatively impacted your life. Awareness is crucial to begin strategizing your survival plan. So what are you doing about it? Learn these 5 stress-busting tips that are sure to help you not only get through it and survive, but thrive as well.
Stress Buster Tip # 1: Meditate daily.
Even if it’s only five minutes a day, meditation helps you take a few moments to calm down, relax, breathe deeply, gain clarity, and focus on your life. Through your meditation practice, you are recognizing and prioritizing yourself. You are guiding yourself to set daily intentions or personal goals. You are setting yourself up for success. If you’ve never mediated before, don’t worry. There are a variety of quality meditation apps that are readily available to guide you as you explore the benefits of meditation, many of them at no cost. You will begin to feel calm and confident again and you will begin to feel your stress melt away as you practice daily meditation.
Stress Buster Tip # 2: Practice self-care physical activities.
Without a doubt, you are aware of the importance of the basics of self-care: a healthy and balanced nutritional plan, daily exercise and adequate sleep to live your best life. Knowing is one thing; doing is something else. Self-care addresses and reduces the harmful effects of stress on the body.
Be decisive in practicing these three principles of self-care:
Be attentive to the food you eat. Plan ahead and be sure to nourish your body with a healthy, balanced nutrient regimen that includes protein at every meal, a variety of vegetables, fruits, and plenty of water. Eating healthy provides positive energy to your body and is key to a healthy quality of life.
Take care to organize your day to include a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise. Endorphins are released when you exercise, improving your emotional outlook and providing a greater sense of well-being. In addition to the physical benefits, when you incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine, you feel less stressed, more relaxed, and ready to face whatever challenge comes your way. In fact, many people claim that they do their best to solve problems and generate ideas during their daily training. Whether it’s running, yoga, working out at the gym, or even walking your dog, make it a daily habit and take the opportunity to re-energize and de-stress.
Focus on the laser to ensure you get a good, restorative, and recharging night’s sleep to wake you up each morning ready to face a new day. The amount of sleep varies for each individual. Whether it’s 7 or 8 hours, or a little more or less, studies have shown that maintaining a consistent schedule of going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning is key to good health. optimal. Sleep relaxes you and recharges your personal battery, preparing you to face any challenge that comes your way, without undue worry or stress.
Stress Buster Tip # 3: Attitudinal Self-Care Practice.
In addition to the three basic foundations of self-care as noted above, let’s add another critical element of self-care: attitudinal self-care. You’ve heard the expression “You are what you eat.” Similarly, one of my Essential Mottos is: “You are what you THINK.” Practice positive thinking as much as possible. You have heard the expression: “If you can conceive it, you can achieve it.” With more positivity in your life, comes less stress, or at least manageable stress. You will be able to brainstorm solutions to your everyday challenges. Do you see the glass half full or half empty? With a focus on attitude self-care, you will begin to see the glass as half full. And then your view of your world is likely to be more open to infinite possibilities and probabilities. Another of my essential mottos is: “There are no problems … only solutions.” See your glass half full. See the endless possibilities. Smile and practice positivity every day, as much as you can. Your positive attitude will allow you to stress and worry less, and it will likely reap amazing benefits for your mind, body, and soul.
Stress Buster Tip # 4: Communicate with a friend.
Social isolation increases the likelihood of loneliness, negative self-esteem, and stress. Interacting with family and friends will help neutralize any anxiety and stress you may be feeling. Communicating with a trusted friend or family member is a positive step forward. Even if you are unwilling to make that call or text, know that there is a loving and supportive network for you to communicate … and be encouraged to connect with others. Taking care of a pet is also therapeutic. Positive social connection and interaction is key to reducing your stress levels.
Stress Buster Tip # 5: Be tougher.
A Japanese proverb reminds us that “the bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.” You may notice that some people seem to be able to handle their stress better than others. You may also wonder, in particular, why they seem to handle your stress better than you do. Learning to be more resilient will allow you to take it easy, cope better, and handle difficult situations without undue anxiety or stress. Practice more flexibility in your life. Be less rigid. Become more resistant. You will stress less and become stronger like the oak in the Japanese proverb.
